When world war II ended in 1945, Mercury was ready with two new motor models. A 3.2 horsepower single cylinder called the Comet and the twin cylinder 6 horsepower named the Rocket. In 1947 the engines were redesigned with a much more modern look and a third model was added called the Lightning. This new model was a higher RPM, 20 cubic inch, 10 horsepower...
Read MoreThe History of Outboard Motors – Part Eight
The 1940 Mercury outboard boat motor was a very good looking streamlined motor compared to other brands at the time. The drive shaft was put inside a casing that also served to cover the water pickup line and a leak proof under water exhaust system. The water pump was also a huge leap forward in design using a Rotex rubber pump that did not need any...
Read MoreThe History of Outboard Motors – Part Seven
Mercury Outboard Motors was founded in 1939 by Carl Kiekhaefer who at the time was a chief engineer working at a successful company not related to boating. Wanting to own his own business he bought a failed outboard motor company in his hometown of Cedarburg Wisconsin that produced Thor brand outboard motors, with the plan to produce magnetic separators for...
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